Dynasty, Charisma Square Off in Indian Election

By
Anant Vijay Kala

July 8, 2011

NEW DELHI—Elections in India's most populous state won't take place for many months, but the battle already is well under way, pitting the scion of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty against one of India's most charismatic politicians.

Uttar Pradesh is a gigantic electoral prize: Its 190 million people would constitute the world's fifth-largest nation if it were an independent country. Kumari Mayawati has ruled it as chief minister for the past four years. She is a feisty politician who hails from—and gets the bulk of her support from—the...